Adverse Effects and Safety of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors (Finasteride, Dutasteride): A Systematic Review

Low-dose finasteride may cause lasting sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts in young men.

Finasteride, a hair loss drug, may cause sexual dysfunction and depression, but these effects are usually temporary and the drug is generally safe. More research is needed.

Finasteride and dutasteride effectively stop or reverse hair loss in women with androgenetic alopecia, with dutasteride being more effective for women under 50.

Dutasteride 0.5 mg works better than finasteride and placebo for increasing hair in men with hair loss.

5α-reductase inhibitors can cause sexual problems, higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, and depression.

5-Alpha reductase inhibitors may prevent prostate cancer but are not widely used due to concerns about trial relevance and potential risks, and more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits.

Finasteride 5 mg/day effectively treats hair loss in postmenopausal women without hyper-androgenism.

Former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects have higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Men with hair loss experience lower quality of life, worsened by factors like age, severity, and treatment history.

Finasteride for hair loss can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.

Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.

Finasteride improves hair density and thickness in women with hair loss.

Neurosteroids show promise for treating epilepsy and more research is needed.

Finasteride may increase depression by reducing brain cell growth.

Finasteride may help some women with hair loss, but better options exist.

Finasteride reduces new brain cells in male mice, possibly causing depression.

Finasteride safely reduces excessive hair growth in women.

Knowing about finasteride's sexual side effects increases reported dysfunction.

Finasteride improves acne and hair loss in women with normal testosterone.

Finasteride may cause slight depression and anxiety.

Hair loss common in Australia; men affected earlier, more often than Asians; women less concerned.

Finasteride for hair loss has minimal impact on sexual function.

Dutasteride more effectively lowers DHT levels in men with enlarged prostates than finasteride.

Hair loss increases with age; alcohol raises risk, more female partners lowers it.

All three treatments reduce hirsutism, but spironolactone works best long-term.

Finasteride effectively reduces hair growth in women with polycystic ovary syndrome or idiopathic hirsutism.

Flutamide may slightly improve hair loss in women, but finasteride does not work.

Finasteride improves hair loss in women with hyperandrogenism.

Finasteride for hair loss may cause depression, affecting sleep and relationships.

Finasteride increases hair density in female androgenetic alopecia, but individual results may vary.

Finasteride doesn't reduce sexual function in people with hair loss.

Finasteride doesn't effectively treat hair loss in postmenopausal women.

Flutamide reduces hair growth better but has more side effects.

Finasteride effectively treats baldness but may cause sexual side effects.

Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.

Finasteride and flutamide effectively reduce hirsutism in PCOS women, with flutamide also lowering hormone levels.

Terazosin and finasteride effectively treat BPH, but combining them adds no extra benefit.

Finasteride reduces hairiness and androgen levels in women with unexplained excessive hair growth.

Finasteride and spironolactone both reduce hirsutism, but finasteride lowers androgen levels more.

Finasteride reduces hair growth and is safe for women with excessive hair.

Finasteride reduces dihydrotestosterone, increases testosterone, and may treat hirsutism in women.

Finasteride effectively treats BPH but may increase sexual dysfunction risk.